SEYCHELLES EYES MORE VISITORS FROM SOUTH AFRICA
(Posted 20th February 2017)
Marlan Padayachy, the respected Journalist of South Africa writes: The Indian Ocean island of Seychelles has the potential to become a
strategic springboard for KwaZulu-Natal, particularly for Durban as
a premier east-coast commercial and logistics hub of three million
people, when Air Seychelles touches down for the first time later next
month.
Seychelles’ foray into this geo-political region earmarked for massive
economic overhaul and growth is likely to push back the frontiers of
tourism, travel, trade and socio-cultural between these unique
multicultural tourism hotspots.
Stakeholders behind the wheel of driving closer socio-economic
cooperation with the independent island nation strategically situated
in the heart of the Indian Ocean Rim are optimistic about this
inter-regional development.
Beyond the direct route, between Mahe and Durban, ushering a string of
tourism, cultural and sports events, politically-connected Seychellois
Hindus, are keen to foster socio-religious and cultural links with
Indian citizens here. These Indian Ocean Rim neighbours could become a
microcosm for multicultural social cohesion and cooperation, hence the
significance the arrival of the Airbus A320 jetliner bringing
passengers on the inaugural flight to King Shaka International Airport
on March 30.
Historically, South Africa and Seychelles have not been close, unlike
the Durban-Mauritius relationship. A new era of diplomatic relations
began with iconic president Nelson Mandela welcoming world and
regional leaders to the new South Africa in 1994.
In the 1980s, both independent island nations were controversially
interlocked with the apartheid South Africa.
In 1981, South African mercenaries stormed Seychelles to stage a coup
d’état that went horribly wrong, resulting in the mercenaries
hijacking an Air India 707 Boeing plane and commandeered it to Durban.
In 1987, SAA Boeing 747 flight 295 from Taiwan crashed over Mauritius
after an in-flight cargo fire downed the Helderberg, killing all
passengers and crew.
Now a refreshing new era is unfurling its colourful flags in the
Southern African Development Community and Indian Ocean Rim.
Air Seychelles will now compete directly with Air Mauritius for ‘bums on seats’.
Port Louis was once the popular stopover to India and favourite resort
destination for all-race South Africans.
Air Seychelles, flying five times a week out of OR Tambo International
Airport, has flown 10 000 South Africans to Mahe, the island’s
capital, an almost 20% increase last year.
The direct flight is expected to increase significantly once King
Shaka is on the flight plan.
Airline and tourism officials said the Airbus A320 jetliner will seat
120 economy class passengers (R5 000 each) and 16 in business class at
R15 000, in a twin-cabin configuration and flying time between Durban
and the mid-ocean paradise island would be five hours.
Another development is a bold quest by the island’s minister of
tourism, civil aviation, ports and marine, Alain Saint Ange, vying for
the secretariat of the United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation: ‘’I
am honoured to submit my Statement of Intent as a candidate from the
Seychelles for the post of Secretary General. This is a huge step
forward for Seychelles, and the coming May elections are also very
important for the UNWTO,’’ St Ange said from Madrid, Spain, where
unveiled his official election documents.
St Ange, who leads his country’s airline and tourism delegation to
Durban’s Indaba tourism expo each year, including South Africa’s
former Air Seychelles’ CEO Manoj Papa, and accompanies current Miss
Seychelles and princesses, believes this region would also benefit if
was elected 2017-2020 leader of global tourism.
South Africans, including Indian-origin people, would be at home in
his multicultural country: “We the Seychellois stem from three
continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. Yes, but we all know that
historically we come from five main branches France, Africa, the UK,
India and China.’’ The island is home to Indians, Creole, Chinese and
French.’’
Before he flew to Europe, he received blessings from the island’s
Hindu community at a thanksgiving ceremony at the Hindu Kovil Sangam
Temple in Victoria recently.
Veera Pandiyan Pillay, chairperson of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil
Sangam, said speakers underscored the ex-minister’s pivotal role to
boost the local tourism industry and thanked him for recognising
Seychellois Indians with the Seychelles-India Day Celebration.
They gave him a letter endorsing his bid for the UN job.
Through Saint Ange’s campaigning, Seychelles enjoys a sharper global
focus on the blue economy.
“Our ocean is a vital unique selling point. We must protect our ocean.
Our tourism industry has always succeeded because of our blue economy.
We are opening up our blue skies to open to the cosmopolitan citizens
of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. I look forward to our airline’s maiden
flight to Durban. We want to welcome more South Africans to come and
enjoy our warm hospitality, shopping and unspoilt tourist hotspots.’’
David Germain of the Seychelles Tourism Office has unveiled a model of
A320 Airbus to Ndabo Khoza, CEO of KZN Tourism, saying the airline
would fly every Thursday and Saturday to the city’s northern flank. He
shattered the myth that the idyllic island, its multicultural melting
pot of fun in the sun, no-visa policy, attractive hotel rooms of up to
R1 000 and the acceptance of all currencies and credit cards was
exclusively for business people and super-rich travellers.
‘’We can satisfy any budget. People think that Seychelles is for the
businessman or the elite, but people can get accommodation for USD
50.’’
No backpackers or pitching of tents are allowed. On the flipside,
Seychellois can experience local hospitality and shopping. Dube
Tradeport chief executive Hamish Erskine forecasts educational,
shopping and commercial opportunities.
‘’We would want to move cargo there and consumable goods. There is not
much manufacturing on the island, so we would service the hotel
markets. On the return flights, you are looking at fresh produce, they
have a very strong fresh food industry.’’
Added airline chief executive Roy Kinnear: ‘’There is a large Indian
community in Durban and Air Seychelles will now be able to provide
these travellers with seamless, one-stop connections via Seychelles to
Mumbai. Air Seychelles also code-shares with Jet Airways to a further
nine domestic destinations in India, providing more options for Indian
travellers. Many South Africans visit the Seychelles.’’
A festive spirit of la joie de vivre! – the joy of living – may
embrace this new partnership between the eastern seaboard and
mid-ocean archipelago.
· MARLAN PADAYACHEE is media-communications strategist,
photo-journalist and avid traveller.
· First published in The Post, February 15-19 2017, Independent
Media Limited, Durban, South Africa.
